First Buggie Ride

Today was Molly's first buggie ride. We went grocery shopping and she was finally big enough to sit in the shopping cart. I haven't bought one of those covers that goes over the cart so I used blankets. She enjoyed people watching, eating the grocery list and grabbing at anything in reach. I had to watch her the entire time or else she'd push the blanket aside and suck on the metal bar. Yeah, that happened once and I made her get in the sling. Those grocery carts are the most germ invested areas on the planet!!

We are getting ready to go Grandma Smith's house on Thursday and we are very excited. My mom couldn't stand another minute away from Molly so she bought a ticket and we're coming to visit. We'll be there five days and get spoiled every minute. Next summer when my parents move to Texas Molly will be the luckiest little girl having both of her grandparents a short drive away... talk about toys!!

Pumpkin Carving

Yesterday we carved pumpkins. It was a beautiful day outside and we spread out a blanket on the grass. Zoe was even invited to share in the festivities. Of course she was more interested in eating the pumpkin goo than carving. We did the traditional jack-o-lantern and it turned out great. Then we put a naked Molly inside the pumpkin and started a photo shoot.

Last Wednesday we had our Ward Trunk or Treat and they had family pictures taken. I will post ours as soon as I get them back. Blake and I were farmers and Molly was a baby chicken. Her costume was great. I'm still deciding whether or not to take her trick or treating on the 31st. People will probably think it's just a cop-out for Blake and I to get candy. We'll see!

I sent a forward

Today I sent a forward. I don't normally send forwards, but an email from Ben Stein changed my opinion (temporarily). I wanted to share it with you because I am so passionate about this subject.

When I look at my baby girl I often wonder what the world will be like when she is my age. Will she be strong to make it through the degrading middle school comments? Will she be an example in the crude High School environment? Will she live her life worthily to chose a faithful young man to marry? These are my worries, but it crushes me to think that she can only control herself. The world may fall apart around her.

The following was written by Ben Stein and recited by him on CBS Sunday Morning Commentary:

My confession:

I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees Christmas trees. I don't feel threatened. I don't feel discriminated against. That's what they are: Christmas trees.It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, "Merry Christmas" to me. I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it. It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu. If people want a crèche, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away .I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution and I don't like it being shoved down my throat. Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship Nick and Jessica and we aren't allowed to worship God as we understand Him? I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too. But there are a lot of us who are wondering where Nick and Jessica came from and where the America we knew went to. In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different: This is not intended to be a joke; it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking. Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her "How could God let something like this happen?" (regarding Katrina) Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response. She said, "I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are,but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives. And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?" In light of recent events...terrorists attack, school shootings, etc. I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found recently) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK. Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school. The Bible says thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself. And we said OK. Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr. Spock's son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he's talking about. And we said OK. Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves. Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with "WE REAP WHAT WE SOW." Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell. Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says . Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing. Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace. Are you laughing?Funny how when you forward this message, you will not send it to many on your address list because you're not sure what they believe, or what they will think of you for sending it. Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us. Pass it on if you think it has merit. If not then just discard it... no one will know you did. But, if you discard this thought process, don't sit back and complain about what bad shape the world is in.

My Best Regards. Honestly and respectfully,
Ben Stein
Amen!

Montana!

Trying to sit up

Molly is trying very hard to sit up on her own. She is almost there, but still needs a little help. She'll lean forward or hold onto something to keep her balance. I'm sure her drive to be independent and do things on her own will get her there in no time. Molly turns six months the 25th of October. My baby's growing up too fast!!

Drivers Ed

What a scary thought, huh? This was on our trip to Montana. We flew into Billings and then drove to Wolf Creek where Blake's family owns a luxurious cabin and outdoor fun. In this picture we had pulled over to change a dirty diaper and take care of a party pooper in the back seat. All she wanted to do was be in the front seat with daddy and hold onto the wheel. It makes me remember all of the times I asked my dad if I could drive while on the bumpy dirt road that led to my grandparent's ranch.

Molly is getting so big now and will be turning 6 months on the 25th!! Blake and I are excited to try solid foods but are sad that we no longer have an little infant. She is rolling all over the place now and uses it for her main mode of transportation. My life is going to get seriously busy once the crawling begins. She is so determined to do whatever she wants that I'm scared I will spend 24/7 nursing alligator tears from being told "no" to playing with electrical outlets and stairs. Oh dear...

Freebird!

Life is always better when you don't have a diaper on! I don't know if it was the 123rd diaper or the 124th diaper of the day, but I gave up. Pee wherever you want child, it's not like my house hasn't seen poopy messes. Between a dog, cats and a baby I feel like I'm the janitor at the Dallas Zoo! Thank goodness for steam cleaners.

I should be making my grocery list about now, but as you can see I have found something better to do. I've been thinking a lot about Halloween and haven't decided what to do with Molly. Any suggestions? I have found a little skunk costume which would match her personality (very sassy/stinky) but I'm not sure. As you can tell from her picture she is losing her hair. She used to have a mop but is now clinging to only a few good strands. Blake calls it her Trump hair. But don't worry the hair in the back is still there... she is business in the front, party in the back, the classic mullet!

So it's been a while...

Sometimes I get caught up in life, or maybe it's that life catches up with me, and I forget to relax and write on my blog. My friend Bethany showed me how to download a cool layout and widgets so I hope you enjoy my creativity. I've always considered myself to be "in the know" when it comes to computer stuff, but I am realizing how quickly I am slipping into an old fart. My neighbor who is 14 said she would come over some time and help me with my myspace account. I thought I was with it just to have an account but obviously I need some help. Molly will surpass me before I know it. She is asleep right now and I treasure this time to myself (although I'm exhausted and should be sleeping).



Blake's sister Brett is staying with us temporarily in our guest room. She has decided to join the army and needs help losing some weight before taking off for basic training. That means I have become the drill sergeant and have started kicking my own butt as well. We walk everyday and do Windsor Pilates at night. I'm actually starting to recognize my body again after having a baby. Who knows if I'll ever fit into my old jeans again.



Blake is busy building houses but the market is a little slow here in Texas as well as the rest of the US. Sometimes I envy his work schedule for the simple fact that he gets the greatest homecoming at the end of the day. When Molly sees him she almost starts crying and bounces up and down. He swoops down to pick her up and she smashes her face into his neck. How cutie is that?

Molly is growing up too fast. I think she's teething because of the amazing amount of drool and fussiness. I think she even threw a tantrum the other day when I took my water bottle away from her. She started screaming and bouncing up and down throwing her arms in the air. Oh wow... I can only imagine the terrible twos!

Our puppy dog is getting better but still has a biting problem. She gets too excited and has to put everything in her mouth... mmm, sounds like my 5 month old! But she is more enjoyable everyday as she's growing out of the puppy stage.

Well my time has ended as I listen to Molly fussing in her bouncer. Till next time...